How the Oromo Lost Power: The Untold History of Oromo Rule

Added: 2026-05-15

[00:00:03]What happens when a people's story is almost completely forgotten? For millions of Oromo people, this isn't just old news. It's what they live. Long ago, they have never let their history die. They turned their culture into a way [music] to fight back and their memories into a shield.

[00:00:22]Emperor Menelik II's push into the south was a big turning point. The Oromo fought back hard, but they were no match for the modern [music] weapons. Leaders like Roba Baltam and Tufa Muna fought very bravely, but losing was terrible.

[00:00:35]Traditional leaders were killed or sent away. People from the empire took their places. Oromo land was taken [music] and people became renters on their own soil.

[00:00:45]The Gadaa system was made [music] illegal and local leaders were removed.

[00:00:50]The conquest wasn't just about fighting.

[00:00:52]It was a disaster for their society and culture. The Oromo entered a long time of being under someone else's rule.

[00:01:03]Imperial rule completely [music] broke down the Oromo's way of governing themselves. The Gadaa system was banned, elders lost their power, and [music] outsiders were put in charge. The new rulers made people follow their laws and pay taxes, getting rid of local justice and freedom. [music] Then came the cultural suppression. The Amhara language and Orthodox [music] Christianity were pushed and Oromo traditions were made fun of.

[00:01:29]Losing their own leaders caused confusion and anger, [music] tearing apart their community.

[00:01:35]People didn't know where to go for fairness or advice anymore. The Oromo [music] became subjects in their own land, which made them strongly want to fight back. This feeling of being outsiders would start future fights for [music] freedom and who they were.

[00:01:50]Oromo were only made them stronger in their decision to keep it. The The [music] of bringing their culture back to life were planted in the hard times.

[00:02:02]Even with all the pressure, Oromo resistance kept going. It changed from open fighting to just trying to keep their culture alive. Elders secretly passed down stories and traditions, keeping their identity alive. Writers and musicians used art to show their pain and hope, making people proud.

[00:02:20]By the 1960s and 70s, a new group of students and smart people openly said that the official story was wrong.

[00:02:28]Secret newspapers, protests, and study groups fueled a new Oromo national pride. Many activists were put in jail or sent away, but their sacrifice inspired thousands. [music] The Oromo Liberation Front appeared, choosing to fight with weapons for their right to decide their own future. The Oromo issue could no longer be ignored.

[00:02:49]The quiet whispers of defiance became a loud roar.

[00:02:55]The 2000s have seen an amazing rebirth for the Oromo people. Afaan Oromo is now an official [music] language in Oromia, and cultural expression is booming in music, movies, and books. Years of struggle forced the government to listen to the Oromo's demands. [music] When the Derg fell and ethnic federalism was introduced, it opened up space for self-governance. Oromo politicians are now important national figures, but discussions about freedom [music] and unity are still going on. Oromo people living in other countries use technology [music] to connect and speak up, while young people are rediscovering their heritage. The Oromo story is now about coming back to life and creating a new future.

[00:03:41]The Oromo story is about surviving and being strong. Even with being conquered and attempts to erase them, they kept their language and history. Their greatest legacy isn't just what they lost, but their [music] lasting strength. Today's generation faces huge problems, but also new chances. The future depends on staying together, having fair systems, [music] and learning from the past. The Oromo are now writing their own story, inspiring others with their journey. Their story is still being told. The next part is theirs to write.

[00:04:14]Even after the longest night, the sun always rises.